Chapter 129: I am not someone to be trifled with

Upon arriving at Qingfengdian, the handover went very smoothly.

Zuohushan received fifteen gold bars, and all the people were released.

The tape recorder was also returned.

Ma Kui opened the lid to check the cassette, and his mood instantly brightened: "Brother, I really owe it to you this time. Otherwise, I truly wouldn't have known where to get these fifteen gold bars."

"We are colleagues, no need for such formalities," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Ma Kui!

"You heaven-forsaken wretch, I can't even have a moment of peace when I go back to visit my maiden home.

"I'll kill you!"

Beside them, the disheveled and unkempt Wang Cuiping had red eyes and charged over like a fierce tiger.

"Sister-in-law, don't be impulsive."

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly intercepted her.

Ma Kui had always looked down on Wang Cuiping.

Wang Cuiping's unique skills would be a lethal trump card in the future.

Now that her cover was blown, many things would be difficult to handle later.

"What, you want to kill me?

"Back at the station, let's see who dies first."

Ma Kui brandished the cassette and dove into the car.

"Sister-in-law, come back with me." Hong Zhiyou opened the car door.

Wang Cuiping got into the car, and after they had driven a distance, she whispered:

"Secretary Hong, I've done something wrong."

"Isn't that your specialty?" Hong Zhiyou joked.

Wang Cuiping pursed her lips and said in a low voice:

"Qiao Sanmei grew up with me; we fought the Japanese devils together, so I didn't suspect her.

"I was tricked into spilling the beans."

"What exactly did you spill?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I told her some things about the past in the Mobile Corps Commander force.

"And, and I also said that Old Yu is doing underground work!" Wang Cuiping said.

"Is that tape recorder really so powerful that it can record everything?"

She asked again in a low voice.

"Of course."

"Congratulations, you've successfully sent Old Yu to the electric chair.

"With this cassette, even the Station Chief won't be able to protect Old Yu.

"Sister-in-law, you can get out of the car now.

"I'll pretend I never saw you; go and save your life."

Hong Zhiyou slammed on the brakes and threatened her.

"No, I can't.

"If I go back, I'll just say I was spouting nonsense, or that it was fake.

"If I run away, wouldn't that be the same as Old Yu confessing without being asked?"

Wang Cuiping frowned and said.

"Heh, is your brain working now?

"Sister-in-law, do people with big mouths always love to leak secrets?

"Old Yu is as cautious as a mouse all day long, but with you, it's the opposite—you have to tell everyone, friend or foe.

"How about this, when we get back, I'll buy you a loudspeaker.

"You can go to Haihe Square and shout that your Old Yu is a Red agent!"

Hong Zhiyou shook his head and sneered.

Wang Cuiping was left speechless.

"Secretary Hong, for the sake of the time we spent as master and apprentice, you must save my Old Yu.

"Really, I'm not afraid of death.

"If I sit in that electric chair and let out even a groan, count it as me being incompetent."

She lifted her chin, her gaze burning like a torch.

"Enough.

"Old Yu and I had long guessed you were a big mouth.

"I was the one who sent the bandits.

"It's just that Qiao Sanmei and Li Guinian are a problem; Kong Fang wasn't able to meet with me earlier, so how did that go?"

Hong Zhiyou asked.

"So you knew about Ma Kui's plan all along.

"Oh my.

"Why didn't you say so earlier? You scared me to death!"

Wang Cuiping's eyes turned red, and she happily punched Hong Zhiyou on the shoulder.

Ah!

Hong Zhiyou let out a miserable cry, and the car nearly drove into a ditch.

"Look at you all, you're all so soft.

"Let me tell you, I swung a punch at the back of Qiao Sanmei's head with sixty percent of my strength.

"Forget about that traitor; even an ox would have had its brains smashed to mush by me.

"Rest assured, she definitely won't be able to open her mouth again in this lifetime."

Wang Cuiping was an optimist; once she heard there was nothing to worry about, the corners of her mouth lifted again.

"What about Li Guinian?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"That second-in-command is one of our people, right?

"He shot Li Guinian dead with one bullet and took the tape recorder away.

"I can tell he's a good man."

Wang Cuiping asked with a smile.

"Hmm, then that's fine," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"The cassette was taken by Ma Kui," Wang Cuiping said.

"Don't worry.

"It's already been wiped clean," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's great.

"Secretary Hong, you really are the great benefactor of my Old Yu.

"It wasn't in vain that I taught you the true skills of Master Sun.

"Let me tell you, if our Red regime comes to power, my Old Yu will at least be a municipal official in Jinhai.

"By then, I'll get you, a friendly person, an official position to hold.

"We'll still live together."

Wang Cuiping laughed.

"Thanks to you.

"But let's skip it; serving tea and water to people all day—wouldn't it be better if I went to Xiangdao or abroad to live freely?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's true, you've already made so much money.

"My Old Yu says the money in your hands could buy half of Yixian," Wang Cuiping said.

"You two are both big mouths," Hong Zhiyou laughed speechlessly.

……

Ma Kui hurried back to his office.

He immediately stuffed the cassette into the large tape recorder.

"Heaven bless me, it must have recorded."

Ma Kui muttered to himself, *click*, and pressed the play button.

It had recorded.

He clasped his hands in joy.

However, apart from the noise inside the car, the few sentences that were occasionally recorded were also very blurry, and most were unintelligible.

There were clearer parts.

But they were irrelevant.

Things like Jinhai, this tastes good, that tastes good.

Her husband works at the Jinhai Daily.

After listening, Ma Kui's face turned livid, and he took out the cassette and smashed it hard on the ground:

"Two country bumpkins, they can't even handle such a small task.

"What kind of garbage did they record!"

"Could it be that there's a problem with the tape recorder?" Sun Xing said.

"The tape recorder is fine; I used it before giving it to them. They must have covered it up too tightly," Ma Kui said.

"Captain Ma, what do we do now?

"We definitely can't count on Qiao Sanmei anymore.

"She's been beaten into an idiot."

Sun Xing shook his head and said.

"Go call Song Fei in," Ma Kui ordered.

Song Fei walked in.

"Did you hear it?" Ma Kui asked.

"Hear what?" Song Fei didn't understand for a moment.

"Idiot, I'm asking if you heard Mrs. Yu and Qiao Sanmei talking?" Ma Kui said.

"I heard a little, but it wasn't clear," Song Fei said.

"You damn fool, tell me, what the hell do you mean by 'not clear'?"

Ma Kui grabbed him by the collar and hissed through gritted teeth.

"The noise in that car was too loud, and Qiao Sanmei and Mrs. Yu were whispering together; I only heard them talking about food and drink," Song Fei said, his face bitter and trembling.

He really hadn't heard clearly.

Even if he had, he couldn't say it.

He wasn't a fool.

Could a fool climb to the position of section chief at such a young age?

Talking nonsense at a time like this would get people killed.

Ma Kui beckoned to him with cold, sinister eyes.

Song Fei leaned closer.

Ma Kui leaned into his ear and spat out the cold, chilling words through his teeth:

"You're nothing but a fart!"

Song Fei lowered his head and said nothing.

"Get out, get out!

"All of you, get out!"

His brilliant plan had failed completely once again, and Ma Kui roared in frustration.

……

Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was so angry he was choking, pointing at his two beloved generals and saying righteously:

"Look at this Ma Kui, all day long he only thinks about these trivial, petty matters.

"Jiang Jianfeng has given me a task this time.

"To clean up corruption.

"It's being carried out simultaneously in the two most prosperous cities, Shanghu in the south and Jinhai in the north.

"I can't control Shanghu.

"But this shot in Jinhai must be heard!"

"Teacher, it's all my fault," Yu Zecheng stood up with his head lowered, his expression sincere and earnest.

"Back then, there was Lu Zongfang, and then Whether Zuo Lan.

"They were like an invisible shackle, locking me down tight.

"Section Chief Liu, Ma Kui.

"Because of these trifles, the station has been in turmoil.

"Teacher, it's all my fault."

Yu Zecheng bowed in shame.

"The innocent are self-innocent; what are you afraid of?

"Let them investigate; you must be able to withstand investigation.

"Isn't it just this little matter of Lu Zongfang?

"Xie Ruo and I were both recommended to university by the Red side back in the day.

"So what? Didn't we still get reused by Boss Dai and reach the rank of Major General?

"The Chairman was even saved by General Chen; back then, didn't he also let the Red side facilitate his escape?

"Could it be that the Chairman also has suspicions of being a Red agent?

"You have me in you, and I have you in me; that is the way of survival, otherwise many things wouldn't work."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and laughed as he recounted old stories.

"Listening to your words is better than reading books for ten years.

"Now that you've said this, Teacher, my heart is much clearer.

"Then let them investigate."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Hmm, you and Zhiyou need to set up the stage.

"Zecheng, you are familiar with the political side; go make a list, clear out the traitors, old warlords, remnants of the past, or officials and wealthy merchants close to the Dangtong Bureau.

"My old classmate is a stickler for detail; if you don't use some strong medicine, he won't be satisfied.

"Don't be afraid; I've returned with a rank this time.

"Director of the Jinhai Anti-Corruption Investigation Committee.

"Not many of these people have clean backsides; whoever you don't like, just pin it on them."

Wu Jingzhong ordered proudly.

"Of course, the most important thing is this..." As he spoke, he rubbed his fingers with a smile.

"Understood!" Yu Zecheng nodded.

"And that Red female representative, don't see her anymore in the future.

"You must avoid suspicion.

"Otherwise, there will be endless trouble.

"Women, actually, they're all the same with the lights off, and if you eat three meals a day, you'll get tired of it; you'll understand when you reach my age," Wu Jingzhong reminded with a smile.

"Zhiyou, your business needs to expand too.

"Jinhai is so big, isn't there anyone in trouble?

"If there's no disaster, create one.

"The common people have a saying: 'If an official doesn't act for the people, they might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes.'

"If we officials only take our salaries and don't act as masters to those wealthy merchants and traitors.

"Then we really might as well go home and farm."

As he spoke, he gave Hong Zhiyou a hint.

"Teacher is right.

"I'll go to the club tonight to play cards and see whose family needs justice or a master," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"That's right, go get busy.

"Don't forget to come to my house for dinner tonight, and bring your leather jackets."

Wu Jingzhong said with a beaming smile.

"Okay.

"Thank you, Station Chief."

The two said immediately.

……

Out of the office.

Yu Zecheng walked two steps faster:

"Zhiyou, come to my office for a moment."

Hong Zhiyou followed him into the office.

Yu Zecheng wasn't in a hurry; he poured tea and smiled, "Zhiyou, I owe it all to you this time, otherwise I would have fallen into Ma Kui's hands.

"I just passed by Ma Kui's office, and he was cursing Song Fei to high heaven."

"No need for formalities, I'm just doing business for money," Hong Zhiyou said.

"It's different.

"You take money, but I value human sentiment.

"I'll return one to you right now."

After Yu Zecheng finished speaking, he wrote a name on a piece of paper:

"Wu Taixun!"

"Boss Dai is dead, and this guy is now a frightened bird. I heard his bodyguard, Zhang something, is very attentive to Wanqiu.

"This person is a remnant of the old warlords, and I plan to use him as the first target."

Yu Zecheng said.

"His name is Wang De!"

Hong Zhiyou gave a disdainful smile and sipped his tea:

"Wang De's younger brother is the manager of the Shun'an Flour Mill.

"In the past six months, this flour mill has raised prices twice, and Kou Zhengguo of the Civil Affairs Bureau suppressed the matter.

"As far as I know, Kou Zhengguo is Wang De's brother-in-law.

"And this flour mill has shares held by Wu Taixun.

"So..."

Yu Zecheng pointed at him and laughed knowingly: "Brother, you are too shrewd; you've had this planned for a long time."

"You could say that.

"Just because I don't bully people doesn't mean I'm willing to be bullied.

"I'll leave this matter to you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Rest assured, none of them will be able to run!" Yu Zecheng said righteously.

Hong Zhiyou had been a great benefactor to him.

He had never been able to repay him, and now that such a rare opportunity had arisen, he would naturally give it his all.

"I'm off!

"I still have to go to the club to scout for business.

"The Station Chief hasn't opened for business in a long time; it's time to stretch his muscles."

Hong Zhiyou said goodbye and walked out quickly.

Passing by the Intelligence Section.

Lu Qiaoshan pulled him inside:

"Brother, we're out of wine; you need to hurry up.

"This foreign wine of yours is extremely popular among the middle and lower classes in Jingling.

"Send twenty more cases this month."

"Brother Shan, we're all family; I'll send you forty more cases," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's great.

"My son has just gone to the Second Department of the Ministry of National Defense as a clerk.

"Everything needs money to be taken care of.

"Brother..."

Lu Qiaoshan bit his lip slightly and smiled, stopping mid-sentence.

"I'll lower the profit by another ten percent, and my share of the kickback will go to you, Brother."

Hong Zhiyou agreed very generously.

Fearing Lu Qiaoshan would overthink, he lowered his voice:

"Brother Shan, when you become Deputy Station Chief later, you'll have to take care of me.

"Believe me, Brother, you have the official seal of the mountain on your forehead.

"In the future, you'll at least be a general.

"If the Station Chief retires after a few years, I'll only be able to count on you in Jinhai."

"I'll take your auspicious words, Brother; if I can sit in the main seat in the future, there will definitely be a place for you, Brother, in Jinhai," Lu Qiaoshan promised, patting his chest.

"Done, I'm off."

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand, went downstairs, and drove to the club.

Arriving at the club.

Lin Tian, in a designer suit and looking handsome and dashing, was flirting with the receptionist.

Seeing Hong Zhiyou.

He smiled slightly but didn't greet him.

It was only after a few minutes that he went upstairs.

"Brother Hong, there's a lead," Lin Tian said.

Hong Zhiyou handed him a cigarette, signaling him to continue.

Lin Tian said: "Recently, at the Mazi Casino in Xiqing, I discovered a group of men with Northeast accents.

"The owner of Mazi Casino, Jiao Mazi, came from Guandong in the past.

"He's ruthless with a knife.

"Don't look at the small venue; the people under him all dare to see blood—the kind of ruthless characters who aren't afraid of anyone.

"Your father has been to Mazi Casino.

"And, combining what you said before, I've checked on one person."

"Who?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Zhao Chuncheng, the assistant manager of Longyang Company," Lin Tian said.

"Zhao Chuncheng is from Shenyang, and Mazi is his cousin.

"He was very familiar with this group of people around Fourth Master Zhang before.

"His relationship with the municipal garrison is also quite good.

"Therefore, the liquor sales have always been good, and the Shanghu headquarters and the foreigners value him highly."

Lin Tian took two puffs and continued.

"Then that's right.

"Just a little business matter.

"Thanks, keep an eye on this.

"But be careful; these people kill without blinking."

Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"Rest assured, they might not be able to beat me in a fight.

"But if I want to run, they definitely won't even be able to touch my shadow," Lin Tian laughed proudly.

"Don't be careless.

"Caution is the parent of safety; is the money still enough?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Enough, I won quite a bit with the money you gave me last time.

"I'm off.

"The receptionist promised to have dinner with me tonight," Lin Tian winked and smiled roguishly.

"Good luck," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

As he spoke, the sound of high heels *click-clack, click-clack* came from outside the door.

"I won't disturb your good fortune."

Lin Tian left with a smile.

The one who came was Mrs. Kang, Fang Min.

Hong Zhiyou had gone to Xiangdao and had been tied up with business since returning, never finding the time to see her.

At this moment, both were like parched earth meeting sweet rain.

After some intimacy, Fang Min lay in his arms and asked coquettishly:

"I've heard rumors that the higher-ups intend to fight corruption.

"It won't be like the anti-traitor campaign, where they're going to target another group of people, will it?"

"Did Mr. Kang ask you to ask?" Hong Zhiyou pinched her beautiful face and said.

"Yes.

"He's afraid of every little rumor now.

"Seeing that you haven't come to find me for so long, he thought you were tired of playing and looked down on me.

"He urges me to find you every day."

Fang Min pursed her lips and hummed.

"How could that be?

"With your skills, no man could ever get tired of you.

"Tell him not to worry; I can still speak on this matter," Hong Zhiyou kissed her and said.

"I haven't taken any jobs for the Station Chief in a long time.

"Do you have any news on your end?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Yes!

"Pujie has been detained by the Soviets in the Northeast.

"His adjutant has been running around, wanting Station Chief Wu to come forward and plead with Station Chief Wen in the Northeast to see if, before he is transferred to the Soviet Union, they can at least save his Japanese wife and two children and send them back to the Japanese islands," Fang Min said.

"Saving Pujie is impossible.

"That was captured by the Soviets; it would be easier to handle if it were the Americans."

"His wife and daughter, however, can be worked on."

Hong Zhiyou pondered for a moment and said.

"That works too."

"Pujie loves his wife and daughter very much and is willing to pay a heavy price for them."

"You know, these Manchu princes are never short of money or antiques."

"After all, the Forbidden City used to be their home."

Fang Min nodded and said.

"How much money can he come up with?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Pujie has a residence in Beiping that serves as a secret treasury."

"If Station Chief Wu can help his wife and daughter, he is willing to hand it over."

"But this time, you have to give me a cut."

"My old Kang has been struggling with business lately and is short on cash; I can barely afford my own cosmetics."

Fang Min turned over, wrapped her arms around his neck, and acted coquettishly.

"Easy."

"If that house is valuable, I'll give you five thousand US dollars," Hong Zhiyou readily agreed.

"Good daddy."

"Five thousand isn't enough, I want ten thousand," she pouted, shaking her head and saying in a sweet, wheedling voice.

"Done, who else would I spoil if not my girl," Hong Zhiyou agreed.

"I love you to death."

Fang Min blinked and gave a charming smile.

Moving her body like a water snake, she slithered toward Hong Zhiyou's waist.

The next day.

Yu Zecheng arrived at the office.

Last night, he met with Whether Zuo Lan and handed her the photo of Buddha Niche.

Whether Zuo Lan went to Beiping overnight to meet Old Hao from the Border Region Liaison Office.

Old Hao recognized that Buddha Niche was none other than Feng Jian, a teacher at the Border Region's Second Primary School.

Yu Zecheng immediately realized this was an excellent opportunity to rescue Jiang Aimei and Huang Zhong.

At the same time, perhaps he could take the opportunity to get rid of the persistent Ma Kui.

Everything now depended on Whether Zuo Lan.

(End of chapter)